Firefighter salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Firefighters in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $87,980 a year ($42.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,750 for the top 10%. That is 48% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 19% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $74,170. There are 1.9 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $88,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,980 | $29.32 |
| 25th percentile | $73,020 | $35.11 |
| Median | $87,980 | $42.30 |
| 75th percentile | $103,930 | $49.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,750 | $59.02 |
| Average (mean) | $88,260 | $42.43 |
Half of firefighters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,331.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,665.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,383.85 |
| Weekly | $1,691.92 |
| Hourly | $42.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $99,930 | 300 |
| Boulder, CO | $79,390 | 360 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $70,190 | 220 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $63,110 | 760 |
| Greeley, CO | $62,640 | 480 |
| Pueblo, CO | $61,560 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 |
| Washington | $94,520 |
| California | $85,120 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 |
| Illinois | $78,380 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 |
| Colorado | $74,170 |
| Maryland | $73,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $88,540 | $42.57 |
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| Security Guard | $45,420 | $21.84 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $101,970 | $49.02 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,620 | $17.61 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $43,720 | $21.02 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $65,660 | $31.57 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $127,250 | $61.18 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $113,340 | $54.49 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $71,530 | $34.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $56,200 | $27.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $119,500 | $57.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $75,300 | $36.20 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for firefighters in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $87,980 a year, or $42.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $122,750 a year. The top 25% earn $103,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,980 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $73,020 or less.
How many firefighters work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 3,010 firefighters are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.